Top Ten Scholarship Tips

Full article: https://www.iusb.edu/scholarships/scholarlist.php

Ever wonder what the folks who award the scholarships want to see? FinAid and FastWeb have polled scholarship providers across the country asking for their tips on applying for scholarships.

Tip 1: Give concrete examples.

If your answer to an essay question is abstract, support it with a concrete example that illustrates your point. The scholarship sponsor wants to see evidence that you satisfy their criteria, not just unsupported statements.

Tip 2: Apply only if you are eligible. 

Read all the scholarship requirements and directions carefully, and make sure that you are eligible before you send in your application. Your application will not be considered if you are not qualified to apply.

Tip 3: Identify the sponsor's goals.

Try to understand the sponsor's motivation in offering the award. Do they want to promote interest in their field? Do they want to identify promising future researchers and business leaders? If you can identify their goals, you can direct your application toward satisfying those goals, increasing your chances of winning the award.

Tip 4: Complete the application in full and follow directions.

Many students fail to follow directions. You can give yourself a competitive advantage by reading the directions carefully.

Provide everything that is required. But do not supply things that are not requested. You will not impress and you might be disqualified.

Be sure to complete the entire application. If a question does not apply, note that on the application. Do not just leave it blank.

Tip 5: Neatness counts.

Make several photocopies of all the forms you receive. Use the copies as working drafts as you develop your application packet.

It is always best to type the application. If you must print, do so neatly and legibly.

Proofread the entire application carefully. Nothing is less impressive than an application with misspelled words or grammar errors. Ask a friend, teacher or parent to proofread it as well.

Tip 6: Write an accomplishments resume.

Compile a list of all your accomplishments. This will help you identify your strengths and prepare a better application.

Give a copy of the resume to the people who are writing letters of recommendation for you. They will be able to work some of the tidbits into their letters, making it seem like they know you better.

Tip 7: Watch all deadlines.

Impose a deadline for yourself that is at least two weeks before the stated deadline. Use this 'buffer time' to proofread your application before you send it off.

YOU are responsible for making sure all parts of the application arrive on time. This includes supporting materials, such as letters of recommendation and transcripts. So make sure everyone who is contributing to your application has ample lead-time.

If worse comes to worst, call the scholarship provider in advance and ask if it is possible to receive an extension. Do not just send the materials in late; many committees will refuse late applications. But do not rely on extensions - very few scholarship providers allow them at all.

Tip 8: Take steps to make sure your application gets where it needs to go.

Before sending the application, make a copy of the entire packet and keep it on file. If your application goes astray, you can always reproduce it quickly.

Make sure your name (and social security number, if applicable) appears on all pages of the application. Pieces of your application may get lost unless they are clearly identified.

Tip 9: Ask for help if you need it.

If you have problems with the application, do not hesitate to call the sponsor. But do not expect anyone to do the work for you. Completing the application is your job. At IU South Bend you can call the Office of Student Scholarships at (574) 520-4483 (or toll free at 1-877-462-4872 x4483) and the Writing Center at (574) 520-4495 (or toll free at 1-877-462-4872 x4495).

Tip 10: Remember - your scholarship application represents YOU!

Your ability to submit a neat, timely, complete application reflects on you. It is the face you present to the sponsoring organization. Take pride in yourself by submitting the best application you can.

Arizona Universities Scholarship Pages

Here are the links to the scholarship pages of the 3 major colleges in Arizona. If your planning to go to these universities or if you're already accepted you should go straight to the source and check out these pages for scholarship and grant opportunities:

Arizona State University: http://tinyurl.com/lrat7nl

Northern Arizona University: https://www.nau.edu/FinAid/Scholarships/

University of Arizona: http://financialaid.arizona.edu/types-aid/scholarships

What to Check before Submitting your Scholarship Application

Full article from College Greenlight: http://www.collegegreenlight.com/blog/category/money/

You’ve finally finished that scholarship application and wow you’re ready to submit it. But wait! Make sure you double check all of these important things before submitting your application.

Follow the Instructions

One of the most important things to check before submitting your application is to make sure that you’ve followed the application instructions to the letter. Did you include all the required elements? Did you keep your essay under the word limit? When you follow the instructions, not only does it speak highly of you to the scholarship committee, it also automatically gives you a leg up over any other applicants who may not have followed the instructions. Many scholarship committees even go so far as to disqualify any applicants who don’t follow the instructions.

Final Presentation

Make sure that the appearance of your application represents you well. Thoroughly proofread everything you wrote and check for any errors. If any part of your application was handwritten, go over it again to ensure it is completely legible. If you’re submitting a paper application, make sure your pages are clean and neatly organized. Unless specifically requested, don’t use any special presentation materials, such as report binders or folders; these can make it difficult for the scholarship committee. Let the quality of the content in your application speak for itself without the bells and whistles.

Addresses

Before sealing your application, ensure that the address you are sending your application to is not only the correct one, but is correctly and clearly written. Scholarship committees usually specify an address to send your application materials to, and it’s not always the same address that’s listed in the Contact Us section of their website. If sending your materials electronically, take care to spell the email address correctly, or your application could end up somewhere in cyberspace instead of in the hands of the scholarship committee.

Deadlines

Finally, make sure your application will arrive with plenty of time before the deadline. Sometimes scholarship committees require your application to be postmarked by the deadline date and other times they require your application to be received by the deadline date. Whatever the case may be, ensure your application arrives on time. You don’t want all your hard work to go to waste just because you didn’t get it in on time!

After you’ve sent off your application, pat yourself on the back for a job well done! If you follow this checklist, you can be confident about every scholarship application you submit.

Scholarship Judges’ Secrets Revealed: Three Essay Topics Likely To Win Money

Link to article: http://time.com/money/2890008/three-best-scholarship-essay-topics/

By Amy Weinstein, June 18, 2014

...And one topic that will definitely get your application forwarded to the circular file.

Every year, companies, non-profits, charities, churches and clubs award about $6 billion in private scholarships to undergraduates.

But many students fail to apply because they get stumped by the essay requirements, while those that do decide to submit often recycle a familiar theme—”here’s why I need the money.” But everybody who’s applying needs money.

The more likely path to reward, judges say, is to demonstrate why you’ll be a good investment of their scholarship dollars. Three topics that can give you that edge:

1. What you love and why. Do you love your dog? Your church? Basketball? Your shoes? Great! There’s your topic! But scholarship providers want to know why you love something, not just that you do. An ability to analyze the whys and wherefores of your own likes and dislikes is an indication that you’ll do well in life. There’s nothing too mundane, as long as you’re passionate about it. Says Amy Murphy, who oversees 35 different scholarship programs worth more than $1.3 million through the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation: “One of the best essays that crossed my desk was about a student’s shoes—where they had been, what messes they had gotten into and out of, how they supported the student as troubles were averted and successes achieved.”

2. How you recovered from a mistake, challenge or disappointment. “We’re looking for qualities like persistence, determination, optimism and a maturity of decision making,” explains Oscar Sweeten-Lopez who runs the Dell Scholars Program, which awards 300 scholarships of up to $20,000 each year. “Since college life brings new challenges and adversities, students need to demonstrate self-determination to succeed.” So tell them about a time when you faced a challenge and carried on. Did you make a mistake? Write about what you did, how you took responsibility for your actions, and what you learned. Did you fail at something? What happened, and how did you recover from that? Were problems at home hurting your ability to succeed in school? What were they, and how did you handle them?

3. Your family history. “Many students limit their scholarship essays to what they want to study, their income level or their ethnicity, completely missing out on other opportunities,” says Kim Stezala, a scholarship coach. Instead, she suggests students ask relatives about military service, clubs they belong to, or causes they have been active in. What you learn can serve as a winning essay topic. Students who can show that they can think broadly, and see themselves as a part of a bigger history, are demonstrating critical thinking skills needed to succeed.

Amy Weinstein is an expert on private scholarships and directs the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA).

RCAC's SUMMER 2014: DESTINATION COLLEGE

The Metropolitan Education Commission Regional College Access Center is very proud to announce the creation of the “SUMMER 2014: DESTINATION COLLEGE” presentation series. The RCAC College Interns Program will offer hour long presentations in subjects ranging from college admissions to scholarships and financial aid. The RCAC will also offer one on one college planning appointments for students participating in summer school and summer community programs. Contact DAVID J. RODRIGUEZ at djrrcac@gmail.com, or 520-670-0055 to schedule presentations and appointments. 

More info: http://www.metedu.org/rcac/Summer2014DestinationCollege.php

Registration for the College Greenlight/Cappex Scholarship Marathon is open!

Link to original article: http://www.collegegreenlight.com/blog/registration-for-the-scholarship-marathon-is-open/

The Scholarship Marathon is taking place on Saturday, March 22nd, and just like last year, it will be an all day event.

This year’s Scholarship Marathon will be co-hosted by Cappex.com! That means that this event will be bigger and better than ever. So mark your calendars, and get ready to kick start this year’s scholarship search in style.

For Students 

The Scholarship Marathon is a free virtual event that runs all day at CollegeGreenlight.com. It starts at 9am, and is a chance for students from all over the country to win raffles, prizes, and money for college just for applying to scholarships! How it works: You can register online at this link. You’ll fill out some simple info, and if you don’t already have a College Greenlight profile you can complete one with your registration. Then on the 22nd you can join us online anytime from 9 to 9 (am to pm) to upload proof of your completed scholarship applications, enter raffles and giveaways, get one-on-one scholarship help from the team, and even win a $1,000 scholarship just for participating!

More info:  http://www.collegegreenlight.com/blog/registration-for-the-scholarship-marathon-is-open/

How to Find Financial Aid if You Are Undocumented

How to Find Financial Aid if You Are Undocumented

By Raul Alvarez - College Greenlignt

If you are an undocumented student, there are still financial aid opportunities available to you. The key is figuring out exactly which opportunities are available to you based on where you live.

But before we dive into those opportunities, it’s important to recognize a few hard truths. If you do not have a social security number, you are not eligible for federal financial aid. That means you are not eligible for government loans, government grants, federal aid, and work-study programs that are financed by the government. This does not necessarily mean that you shouldn’t fill out the FAFSA, but you should check with your high school, after school, or college guidance counselor before you do.

There is still a huge push to change these policies so that amazing students like you can have access to these types of aid, but until those changes are made you’ll have to be especially diligent and creative.

Step one: start with your state

The first place to look for aid is your state. Several right-thinking states have enacted legislation that provides aid to undocumented students. The two major types of legislation these states have taken on are:

1. In State Tuition for Undocumented Students: this means that even if you are not a US citizen you can still be eligible to pay the same amount for a PUBLIC COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY that any other in-state resident would receive.

2. State Financial Aid for Undocumented Students: this means that the state has financial aid that you can apply for to help you pay for college.

Here are a list of states with legislation that supports undocumented students:

California	In State Tuition and State Financial Aid
Connecticut	In-State Tuition
Illinois	In State Tuition and State Financial Aid
Kansas	In State Tuition
Maryland	In State Tuition
Massachusetts	In State Tuition
Nebraska	In State Tuition
New Mexico	In State Tution and State Financial Aid
New York	In State Tuition and State Financial Aid
Oklahoma	In State Tution
Oregon	In State Tuition
Rhode Island	In State Tuition
Texas	In State Tution and State Financial Aid
Utah	In State Tuition
Washington	In State Tuition

If you live in any of these states, you can find out more information about their legislation at this link.

Step two: search for scholarships

There are hundreds and hundreds of scholarships that are available to undocumented students, as well as scholarships that do not require disclosure of citizenship. You should fill out a profile on College Greenlight in order to access our database of nearly every scholarship in the country. We make sure to list citizenship requirements with our scholarships.

We also have put together a list of scholarships that are specifically available to undocumented students that you can find here. 

And if you know of any scholarships for undocumented students, please let us know! We are always interested in adding these scholarships to our database, and in promoting them to our students. You can get started by sending an email to info@collegegreenlight.com.

Step three: speak with a teacher or counselor

If you do not already have a high school, after school, or college teacher or counselor helping you build your college plan, you should! Their job is to help you access education, regardless of citizenship. And while telling your story might be scary, you should know that their are so many people working in education that believe in you, us included! Another great place to find caring advocates is right here on College Greenlight. If you are currently not working with an after school program or other community organization that helps students get into college, let us know! Send an email with your name and the city you live in to ralvarez@collegegreenlight.com and I will try and help connect you with a great organization.

Step four: talk to your favorite college

If you have a college or university in mind that you’ve always wanted to go to, talk to them about your situation. If the college is any good, they’ll be happy to let you know of any opportunities they have for undocumented students.

Step five: don’t give up

We want to see the DREAM Act passed. We believe every student who wants to receive higher education and is serious about it deserves a chance. There are many great places you can get even more information if you are undocumented and are still wary of speaking with someone. One great place is at Educators for Fair Consideration, a not-for-profit website dedicated to helping undocumented students access to affordable higher education. We hope that someday, all students will have equal access to education. But the hard truth is that right now, they don’t. We hope this guide has been helpful, but if you have any suggestions on how to make it better, please let us know in the comments!

Link to article: http://www.collegegreenlight.com/blog/how-to-find-financial-aid-if-you-are-undocumented/

Native American Scholarships and Fellowships

Links and information on various Native American Scholarships and Fellowships. This is a great resource page. Deadline dates, contact numbers and addresses of foundations and organizations from Native American Student Affairs at the University of Arizona website. Click on the link for more info: http://nasa.arizona.edu/scholarships_fellowships

AGC Education and Research Foundation Scholarships

This scholarship is for students who are pursuing a bachelor's degree in construction or construction-related engineering. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be second-year students at two-year schools who are planning to transfer to a four-year program for the Fall 2014 term, a rising college sophomores or juniors in a four-year program, or rising seniors (for Fall 2014) in a five-year program. Junior- and senior-level applicants must have one full academic year of course work remaining at the time of application deadline in the fall of 2013 term (i.e., earliest graduation date of December 2014). High school seniors are not eligible. Applicants must desire a career in the construction industry, be full-time students enrolled or intending to enroll in either an ABET or ACCE accredited (or candidate status) program, be full-time students, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, and be US citizens or documented permanent residents of the United States.

Awards: $2500-$7500

Deadline: Nov. 1, 2013

More info:  http://www.agc.org/cs/career_development/foundation/scholarships

MyBookBuyer.com Textbooks for a Year Scholarship

This scholarship is for college and university students who are 18 years of age or older. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be legal residents of the United States. To apply for this scholarship, applicants must submit an essay between 750-1,250 words addressing the following prompt: Your topic is to select one fictional or non-fictional character whom you have read in the past, who has had a strong and positive impact to help shape who you are today. This character may be chosen from a contemporary fictional work, a modern creative work (ie. poetry), or may span past historical classics or plays (ie. Shakespeare).

The MyBookBuyer.com Textbooks For a Year Scholarship essay contest was first established in 2009. They strive to enhance educational opportunities for students by conducting this scholarship contest twice every year (Spring and Fall).

The Fall 2013 Scholarship contest is now open for submissions.

Grand prize: $1,250 
Runner-up prize: $250 (each)

Deadline: Dec. 10, 2013

More info: http://mybookbuyer.com/mybookbuyer-scholarship/

PEO Scholarships and Grants for Women

P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), one of the pioneer societies for women, was founded on January 21, 1869, by seven students at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Originally a small campus friendship society, P.E.O. soon blossomed to include women off campus.

Today, P.E.O. has grown from that tiny membership of seven to almost a quarter of a million members in chapters in the United States and Canada. The P.E.O. Sisterhood is passionate about its mission: promoting educational opportunities for women. Their sisterhood proudly makes a difference in women's lives with six philanthropies that include ownership of Cottey College, a women’s college with two-year and selected four-year programs, and five other philanthropies that provide higher educational assistance.Various scholarship and grant opportunities. 


Scholarships: $2,500-$10,000

Loans: up to $20,000

Visit their website for more info: http://www.peointernational.org/peo-projectsphilanthropies

 

Dr. Robert H. Goddard Scholarship

The National Space Club awards a $10,000 scholarship each year, in memory of Dr. Robert H. Goddard, America's rocket pioneer. The scholarship is presented at the Goddard Memorial Dinner each spring, for the following academic year. The award is given to stimulate the interest of talented students in the opportunity to advance scientific knowledge through space research and exploration.

This scholarship is for students who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in science or engineering. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be in at least the junior year of an accredited college or university and be US citizens.

Applications are now being accepted,  click here to download the application.
 
Application due: December 2, 2013

More info: http://www.spaceclub.org/programs/goddard.html

SMART Scholarship

The Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed upon degree completion.

This scholarship is for undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) discipline. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be US citizens and 18 years of age or older by August 1 of next year. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA, be able to participate in summer internships at the Department of Defense (DoD) laboratories, and be willing to accept post-graduate employment with the DoD.

Award range: $25,000 - $41,000

Deadline: Dec 16, 2013 

More info:  http://smart.asee.org/

FIRE's Freedom in Academia Essay Contest Scholarships

The mission of FIRE (The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) is to defend and sustain individual rights at America's colleges and universities. These rights include freedom of speech, legal equality, due process, religious liberty, and sanctity of conscience — the essential qualities of individual liberty and dignity. FIRE's core mission is to protect the unprotected and to educate the public and communities of concerned Americans about the threats to these rights on our campuses and about the means to preserve them.

High school juniors and seniors for the 2013–2014 school year who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to participate in FIRE's essay contest. To enter, students must submit an essay between 800 and 1,000 words. Check website for essay topic.

One $10,000 first prize, one $5,000 second prize, and three $1,000 runner-up prizes will be awarded for the best essays. Four $500 winners will be chosen from the remaining entrants in a drawing. 

FIRE will accept essay contest entries from August 1, 2013 to January 1, 2014. Winners will be announced January 31, 2014. 

More info:  http://thefire.org/article/14663.html

Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition

This scholarship is for high school seniors. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must enroll full-time at an accredited US college or university and be US citizens. Scholarships will be awarded based on scholarship, leadership, and financial need. Applicants need not be related to a member of the Elks.

The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2014 competition.

The Most Valuable Student scholarship deadline is December 6, 2013. Applications must be submitted to the Elks Lodge closest to the student's permanent U.S. address.

Awards: $1000-$50,000

500 scholarships

More info: http://www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm

The Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarships

The Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarships recognize and reward students who have made a significant impact in the fight against hunger. The scholarship recipients each receive $5,000 for their education as well as a matching grant in their name for the hunger-related charity of their choice. The Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarship is named for the Sodexo Foundation's founder and former president, who was an unstoppable champion in the fight to end hunger. Thanks to Steve's efforts, which made these scholarships possible, an emerging generation of leaders will be cultivated in the fight against hunger.

This scholarship is for students ages 5-25 (kindergarten through graduate school) who are enrolled in an accredited educational institution in the United States. (Applicants must meet the age requirement by October 5.) To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must have demonstrated ongoing commitment to their community by performing unpaid volunteer services impacting hunger in the United States at least within the last 12 months. Added consideration is given to students working to fight childhood hunger. Volunteer services must be helping non-family members. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. Applications are accepted starting October 5. Deadline Dec. 5

Award: $5000

More info:  http://www.sodexofoundation.org/hunger_us/scholarships/scholarships.asp

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation supports over 1,400 college students each year, with annual scholarships of $3.45 million, through two nationally recognized programs. With the 25th class in 2013, the Foundation has provided over 5,250 Coca-Cola Scholars with more than $51 million in scholarships.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors each year. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, and their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

There are 50 national awards of $20,000 and 200 regional awards of $10,000. The awards will be distributed evenly over a four-year period.

Applications are due October 31.

More info: http://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/applicants/#programs

James Alan Cox Foundation Scholarships

This scholarship is for student photographers of high school and college age. Through a variety of funding, including equipment purchases and scholarships for college and technical school classes, the foundation's mission is to expand educational and developmental opportunities for student photographers demonstrating interest, talent, and financial need. To qualify for this scholarship, high school students applying for these scholarships must have completed one year at an accredited high school; college or technical school students applying for these scholarships must have completed one year at a recognized college, university, or professional school.

Deadline: Nov. 15

Award: $2,500

More info: http://www.jamesalancoxfoundation.org/application.php

PBA Sally Beauty Scholarship

This scholarship is for high school graduates who are planning to be cosmetology majors and/or enter the cosmetology profession. Scholarship funds awarded must be used in the year 2014.

Seven $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to high school graduates desiring to enter the cosmetology profession.

Six $500 scholarships will be awarded to current PBA Beauty Professional / NCA section members for continuing education in the field of cosmetology.

The applications deadline is November 15, 2013. Scholarships will be awarded at ISSE Long Beach 2014. Thirteen scholarship recipients will be chosen and notified by email. All scholarships are funded by Sally Beauty Supply and administered by the Professional Beauty Association Foundation. Applications will be reviewed by a committee appointed by the PBA chair. All scholarship awards are final. Scholarship funds awarded must be used in the year 2014.

More info: http://probeauty.org/scholarships/

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum Student Essay Contest

This contest is open to all public, private, parochial, and home school students in grades five through twelve. To apply for this contest, applicants must write an essay on a given topic. All essays must be accompanied by a student release and teacher registration form; see entry form for more details.

The 2013 Student Essay Contest uses a political cartoon and text passages to highlight the importance of remembrance and respect for diversity in making the world a better place.

Dealine: November 9

Award: $50-$100

More info: http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/secondary.php?section=6&catid=69